Preformed casket panel lining with curved corners



Jan. 6, 1970 w. D. HERRING ET A 3,437,513

PREFORMED CASKETv PANEL LINING WITH CURVE!) CORNERS Filed Feb. 3, 19s? 4 She ets-Sheet 1 Fig./

William 0." Hrring Um H V i q 0 Luther C. Herr/0g II INVENTORS Jan. 6,1970 w. D. HERRFNG ETAL 1 PREFORMBD CASKET PANEL LINING WITH CURVED CORNERS Filed Feb. 5. 1967 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 William 0. Herring Lufher C. Herring INVENTORS MLQ Jan. 6, 1970 w. o. HERRING ETAL 3,487,513

PREFORMED CASKET PANEL LINING WITH CURVED CORNERS Filed Feb. 5, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wil i m 0. Herring Luther C. Herring INVENTORS BY I mu I Q i I Jan. 6, 1970 f w. D. HERRI NG ETAL 7, 3

PREFORMED CASKET P NEL LINING WITH cunvm commas Filed Feb. 3 19 67 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

} Wm 0. Herring Lzlflrer 6. Herring v INVENTORS United States Patent "ice 3,487,513 PREFORMED CASKET PANEL LINING WITH CURVEDCORNERS William D. Herring and Luther C. Herring II, both of PD. Box 130, .Rose Hill, N.C. 28458 Filed Feb. 3, 1967, Ser. .No. 613,798

, Int. Cl.,.A61g 17/02 U.S. Cl. 27- 19 12 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE An interior lining for the panel lid of a burial casket made from fabric covering a single sheet of preformed plastic; forming a rigid foundationv surface. The foundation surface is formed with curved corners to make a decorative appearance without wrinkling ,of -the fabric or folding thereof at corners. The assembly i 's snapped into and retained withinthe lidpanel bystraps wedged between the rear surface of the lining and the casket lid.

BACKGROUND; UFTHE I y NTIo'N I This invention relates to preformed casket pa'nel linings which are easily and quickly applied tothe interior of the'lid ofa burial casket.

Decorative panel linings for casket lids according-to the prior art have been made from corrugated board structures which'are precut, mitered and stapled or otherwise joined together 'into a generally rectangular shape to form a framework over which an outer decorative upholstery is secured. "Examples of such prior art-lining assemblies are disclosedin. Patent-No. 2,664,615 to Hillenbrand, et al. and'Patent 'No.3,'077, 016 to White.

Also according to the'prior art, colored decoration is obtained only byuse of fabrics of different colors; in

which case such fabric must-be cut and applied separately often with unsightly. joints.- The gradual-t fadingout 'of one color, shade or tone into another wasrtherefore..not possible, although this may-be readily achieved in the present invention. so thata'pleasing transition'z'from the intensity of one color-or shade tt'o'thatiof: anothermay be accomplished without interruption. and without any demarcation betweenflthecolorsl v i a In other prior' a'rt constructions,- it was necessaryjto unhinge. the casket 'lid from'thebody-ofthecasket,--in- I stall the interior and then replacexthe pins inythe separable hinges as the lid is .again installedon-the,casketcon- .stituting a time consuming operationzw-Thisihas been a major bottle-neckin .casket-prod'uction and probably the major cause of slow down which wpuldhinder. other oping assembly is formed from a continuous,' 'o n e'-piece foundation of. thermoplastic material, tofthe exposed surface of which woven fabrictof the conventional-j'textiles used in caskets) is applied adhesi'vely o'r bylmeans' of staples. The lining foundation being'of one-piece construction is not, mitered or otherwise separated into two ,or more parts whichmust be covered with separate fabric panels and reassembled. The configuration produced in the plastic resembles in its outward'portions, a frame whose four corners, rather than being mitered and joined,

labor involved in precutting, mitering, cloth covering and assembling.-

Lining assemblies constructed in accordance with the present inventionare also snapped into place with the are curved; This construction eliminates the time and -i greatest ofheaseiand, being prefabricated,. they. thus lend .3 f

:An additional object of the lining assembly with a frame and corresponding rectan- 3,487,513 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 themselves to assembly line production methods. Also, the interior lining assembly can be so installed in both the head and the foot panels of a casket, with considerable savings in cost. The panels may be covered in advance, having ornaments, motifs, etc. of many kinds and stocked for later assembly. Then, when custom finished caskets go through the assembly line, the interior lining assemblies can be snapped in place with no delay in the flow of production.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the use of a relatively thin thermo-forming sheet plastic which when formed to the desired shape, is sufiiciently rigid and strong so that it does not requireadditional reinforcement by laminating corrugations to the back side thereof or by attaching support of any kind at right angles thereto nor does the foundation require any reduction in its thickness at the peripheral edges to produce asurface in the plane with the edges of the casket panels.

Yet anoiher feature of. the present invention resides in the fitting of the lining assembly to casket panels of different sizes. Thus, the outer edges of the assembly may be easily trimmed if desired to fit inside the casket panel of smaller than usual size. This may be accomplished without disturbing the assembly or its design. Also, in the case of casket panels one of whose ends rather than being in the plane with the other end of the panel, is curved in a shape similar to the outside surface of a cross-section of the panel, the plastic may be drawn to such a shape at the appropriate end so that no further 'or tacking to wood strips usually provided inside the easket lid for that purpose. All that is required are two preformed metal straps wedged inside the casket lid so as to provide a firm support at a depth below the inside edges of the metal lid.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a casket panel interior lining assembly having a one-piece foundation which requires no assembly and fitting of precut parts, is lightweight/relatively thin, yet suitably rigid without 'any additional reinforcementnv invention is to provide a gular center portion capable of decorative treatment without unsightly corner miters or holes in the fabric.

These together with other objects and advantages which willbecome subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 7 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIGURE 1 partially illustrates a typical burial casket .with the headpanel open showingthe fabric-covered, preformed casket lining assembly of the vpresent invention installed therein.

' constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the exposed side thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the lining assembly showingvthe other sidethereof.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGUREl illustrates a typical burial casket of the perfection half couch type generally denoted by reference numeral 10 having a head lid panel 12. The head panel is shown in an open position exposing an interior lining assembly generally referred to by reference numeral 14. The assembly 14 in accordance with the present invention is bodily inserted and retained within the casket head panel 12. Further, the lining assembly incorporates any desired design in conformity with the external or internal appearance of the burial casket.

As more clearly seen in FIGURE 5, the casket lid panel 12 includes an outer concave shell 16 formed with inturned peripheral flanges 18 retaining the lining assembly 14 therewithin. In the illustrated embodiment, one

end of the panel is provided with a fiat flange portion 20 p As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the lining assembly in one simple embodiment includes a one-piece foundation generally referred to by reference numeral 24 which is made of a thermoforming sheet of plastic, vacuum formed and drawn over or into a suitable mold assuming a condition of great rigidity and strength thus obviating the need for reinforcements of any kind other than at least two supporting straps 27 as shown in FIGURE 2. The plastic material utilized may be of the rapid setting, lightweight type drawn over into a mold of the desired pattern while in a pliable state by evacuating the air surrounding the mold and beneath the plastic material. After being formed and set into the desired shape, color may be added to the plastic by the spraying of lacquer in one or more colors on portions of the foundations or by silk screen printing or stenciling. One side of the foundation 24 is then smoothly covered with a woven translucent fabric 26 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 7,

portion 28 outlined by the groove portion 30, this curvature being tangent to the double or compound curvature of the transitional corner portions 36 of the outer frame bordering the rounded corners 38 of the groove portion 30. The foregoing one-piece foundation 24 may be prefabricated in standard sizes in order to fit into casket lids and may be trimmed along the outer peripheral edge 40 in order to fit substandard size lids. Also, in the illustrated form of lining assembly 14, one end of the foundation has secured thereto a curved bearing strip 42 adapted to underlie the curved flange 22 of the lid panel 12.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be ob- I served that the preformed plastic foundation 24 is being 7 covered on its exposed face with a single panel of the fabric 26 by spreading the fabric smoothly and without wrinkles over all of the surfaces of the foundation. The fabric is first stretched flat over the rectangular inner portion 28 and tacked -in place at spaced locations 44,46,48, 50,-'52, 54, 56 and '58 in the. bottom of the groove portion 30 before it is secured to the groove portion betweentheaforesaid'locations: Then; the fabric is tacked alongthe raised outer edge 40 at corresponding locations 60, 62, 64, 66, '68, '70, 72 and 74 before being secured to the outer edgebetween the latterlocations. Tacking and securing of the fabric is done by rneans of a suitable quick-setting adhesive'previously applied to the plastic foundation alongthebottom of the groove portion Sit and the outer edge 40 or by means of divergent point staples 76as shownwhich'are driven through the fabric and the plastic-against a* back-up plate causing the [divergent points: of 'the staples to clinch against the backside ofthe plastic providing a permanent attachment. In order to prevent the accumulation of surplus'fabric at the corner portions'36 along the outer frame, the four cornef portions 36"areprovi ded with a compound curvature between the rounded corner portions 38 of the groove 30 and the outer'edge 40. The transition curvature of the corner portions 36 are tangent to the curvature of the side portions 34 of the outer frame 32 at the tangent lines-78 interconnecting the tackinglocations aforementioned in order to minimize the required outward stretching of the fabric on the bias of its weave at the corner portions 36 insuring that the fabric is free of wrinkles.

The fabric 26 is first secured to. the plastic foundation with the 'weave thereof parallel to the side portions 34 at the tacking location 44. With only a minimum stretching of the fabric, to free' it of wrinkles, it is then successively tacked to the bottom of the groove portion 30 at theother tacking locations '4658. Then, the fabric in a like manner is attached to the plastic foundation along the bottom of the groove portion between the tacking locations; Thus, the flat inner rectangular portion 28 of the foundation is smoothly covered with fabric. The surrounding cross-sectionally curved outer frame 32 is then covered in a similar manner with a minimum amount of fabric stretchingby tacking the fabric at the tacking locations 60-74 before it is secured along the outer'edge 40 between the tacking locations. At the corner portions-36 of the foundation, the fabric is pulled firmly on the bias of the weave until it conforms without wrinkles to'the compound curvature before his attached to the-'outer edge.'-This compoundcurvature-at the corner portions reduces the'difference in surface area between the fabric and the foundationsurface so as to avoid any mite'red appearance and'wrinkling or folding of the fabric.

Once the fabric is applied to the foundation as'described, any staples 76 exposed within the groove portion 30, if used, may be concealed by a round welt cord 80 by simply cutting the welt to the proper length and laying a thin coat of suitable -fabric adhesive in the groove portion to which the welt adheres, Alternatively, the welt may be stapled to the .foundation fromflthe backside by stapling pliers, or by the insertion of straight pins through the groove portions and the welt itself. The flat rectangu lar portion 28'ofthe lining assembly will thus be covered with fabric and be either surrounded by an attractive welt or left plain to providea conservative, neatly tailored effect. Tasteful decoration may also be provided, by the addition of appliques attached adhesively to the fabric or by the prior application: of color to the plastic. Other decorativeeifects may also be achieved by applying additional textile-patterns or textiles of different .colors over the inner portion 28 prior to the installation of the welt in the groove portion 30. In such case the fabric may be staples or groove to the fabric surface. A large variety of painted, flock coated plastic ornaments andornaments of many different materials can be fastened to the inner portion 28.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 5 and 8, it Will be observed that the two supporting straps 27 are stamped to an appropriate shape and placed within the lid. panel 12 under a slight tension. Each of the straps 27 includes a central rib section 82 from which opposite divergent end portions 84 extend into contact with the edge portions of the casket lid panel. Projections 86 arestruck out from the 'end portions 84 of the straps for contact engagement with the nearest surface portions of the metal casket lid to thereby prevent slipping of the straps further into the lid. The straps are thus wedged in place to support the plastic foundation 24, the roove portion 30 of which rests against the central section 82 of the straps. The straps may be stamped at a low cost on standard metal presses and easily wedged between the outer edges of the casket panel by placing the straps at a slight angle from the perpendicular to the two sides of the lid and using slight pressure, drawing the strap to the said perpendicular, where it will remain without soldering or welding due to the angular design, as shown in FIGURE 5. When the straps are in place, the fabric covered plastic foundation is inserted beneath the inturned flanges 18, 20 and 22 of the casket lid by gently folding one corner of the plastic foundation beneath the metal edge and running a flat upholsterers knife between the plastic and the metal edge around the entire perimeter of the panel. Once so inserted, the plastic form because of its strength, shape and outside dimensions, fits snugly against the outer perimeter of the metal casket lid and is held in place in such position by the pressure of the metal straps against the backside of the plastic foundation. The groove line or line of staples securing the fabric to the outer edge 40 of the foundation will 'be concealed behind the flanges eliminating the need for trimming.

The lining assembly hereinbefore described may be manufactured by machinery consisting primarily of a vacuum forming machine, molds, a spray gun for the application of colored lacquer when desired, stencils, silk 7 screen equipment, a stapler and scissors or knife. Hand labor of a highly skilled nature is virtually eliminated. Thus, substantial savings in labor over the methods described in the prior art are easily realized without any increase in cost of materials. Because of the one-piece construction of the foundation, a variety of patterns may be constructed and stockpiled indefinitely without damage or deterioration. Thus, the flow of casket production need not be held up by the tedious installation of handmade casket panel lining interiors requiring highly skilled labor.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a concave panel having an inturned peripheral flange, a plurality of elastically deformed straps wedgingly mounted within said panel, and a rigid foundation in engagement with said peripheral flange and supported by the straps in spaced relation to the panel, said foundation including a planar inner portion, a peripheral groove portion outlining said inner portion, and an outer frame extending outwardly from the groove portion into engagement with the peripheral flange of the panel, each of said straps including a central section in contact with the groove portion of the foundation, diverging end portions extending from the central section into engagement with the panel and projections extending from the end portions into engagement with the panel to prevent shifting of the strap.

2. Iii-combination, a concave panel having an inturned peripheral flange, a plurality of elastically deformed straps tion outlining said inner portion, and a outer frame having a continuous curvature extending peripherally throughout and outwardly from the groove portion into engagement with the peripheral flange of the panel, each of said straps including a central section in contact with the groove portion of the foundation, diverging end portions extending from the central section into engagement with the panel and projections extending from the end portions into engagement with the panel to prevent shifting of the strap.

3. The combination of claim 2 including means for securing the fabric to the groove portion and the outer frame of the foundation, said outer frame having a pcripheral edge portion concealed by the peripheral flange of the panel.

4. The combination of claim 3 including welting in the groove portion of the foundation over the fabric, concealing said securing means.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said single sheet of material from which the foundation is made is a thin panel of a rigid preformed plastic.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said single sheet of material from which foundation is made is a thin panel of a rigid preformed plastic.

7. The combination of claim 6 including means for securing the fabric to the groove portion and the outer frame of the foundation, said outer frame having a peripheral edge portion concealed by the peripehral flange of the panel.

8. In a lining assembly for panels or the like, a rigid foundation having a continuous exposed surface and a fabric smoothly covering said exposed surface, said surface of the foundation including a planar, inner portion, a peripheral groove portion outlining said inner portion, and an outer frame having a continuous curvature extending outwardly from the groove portion and peripherally thereof throughout for wrinkle-free adherence of the fabric to the foundation, said outer frame including side portions interconnected by rounded corner portions to form a closed configuration, each of said side portions having a cross-sectional curvature in one plane only, said corner portions having compound curvatures tangential to the curvatures of the adjacent side portions to which the fabric conforms without folding.

9. In a lining assembly for panels or the like, a rigid foundation having a continuous exposed surface and a fabric smoothly covering said exposed surface, said surface -of the foundation including a planar, inner portion, a peripheral groove portion outlining said inner portion, and an outer frame having a continuous curvature extending outwardly from the groove portion and peripherally thereof throughout for wrinkle-free adherence of the fabric to the foundation, said inner portion and said groove portion of the foundation surface having a generally rectangular configuration with rounded corners, said outer frame having side portions formed with a crosssectional curvature in one plane only between said rounded corners and transitional corner portions tangentially interconnecting the side portions formed with compound curvatures to which the fabric conforms without folding.

10. The combination of claim 9 including means for securing the fabric to the groove portion and the outer frame of the foundation.

11. A method of making a liningvasser'nbly consisting of a rigid supporting surface and a single panel ofjfabric smoothly covering said surface, comprising the steps of: forming said surface from a planar portion peripherally outlined by a groove and an outer frame having a continuous cross-sectional curvature; placing the fabric flat against the planar portion of the surface; tacking the fabric to the surface at spaced locations outwardly of the planar portion; and securing the fabric to the surface only in the groove and along the peripheral edge of the outer frame between said spaced locations at which the curvature portions tangent to each other at said locations to which the fabric is tacked.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,434 4/1937 McLaud et al. 27-,19 2,637,137 5/1953 Flynn 27-19 X 2,718,687 9/1955 Woltering et a1 Z7'19 3,162,923 12/1964 Kaeser 27-19 3,344,494 10/1967. MCCliVG -27-19 WILLIAM E. KAMM, Primary Examiner 

